Toyota RAV4 Roof Racks

I am looking at a 2002 Rav4 and noticed the back roof rack is lower than the front due to the slope of the roof. I don't think this would be very good for wind resistance when carrying a large canoe. Does anyone carry a canoe on a 2002 Rav4 or have a solution to the problem?

I am currently in the market for either the new CRV or Rav, and the roof rack issue is extremely critical. Correct me if I'm wrong, but is it possible to get a 07 Rav4 without a factory roof rack? From what I can tell, all models have the factory rack. It is not an option. Is this true? If so, third party racks are not possible.

I would also like to know what the weight limit is on the roof rack. My understanding is that it is only 75lbs. Is this true?

For me, I need to carry a cargo box, which empty weighs 50lbs. A factory rack with a 75lb limit is completely worthless. Aftermarket racks (Thule or Yakima) can support about 125lbs. If factor rack is standard in the Rav, then Toyota has just lost a sale.

Unfortunately, Thule and Yak only make fittings for factory rack on the Rav4, since it does not come without one.

The box is used in the summer for weekend trips to the family cottage to haul mostly luggage -- backpacks, duffle bags, small suitcases -- that sort of thing. I need the space up top because the rest of the car is filled with two adults, two kids in carseats, a dog, some additional bags and a couple coolers full of food for the weekend.

Someone may have figured out a way to kludge a different clip to fit the RAV4 and hold the Yak/Thule towers on that way, but that's a dicey solution. Overloading the factory rack isn't a good option either. I suppose you could sell your box and use the proceeds for a hitch mounted carrier but that would block access to the rear.

I rue the day that car manufacturers went to internal rain gutters. :sick:

If you don't mind drilling holes in your new SUV, you could bolt on some brackets to hold towers (link). I did something similar to my old Tercel (link), but I drive them forever and don't worry much about resale value. :shades:

I'm wondering if anyone has found a way to remove the rack crossbars without having to take the whole luggage rack off. Seems to me like you could reduce wind noise and drag, reduce weight slightly and therefore increase MPG if you could take the crossbars out. I only need these in the Winter when I put the ski racks on. :confuse:

I tried Yak bars on my factory minivan rack and didn't like the way everything sagged. So I got the tower system - it doesn't live on the van full time so you don't see two racks too often. When both racks are installed, everyone is gawking at the canoes anyway. :shades:

Can you, or anyone else, tell me specifically how to remove the rear end capsfrom the OEM roof rack rails ( so the cross bars can be removed)? A diagram/exploded view would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your trouble.(2001 RAV).

I am expecting buying a 2008 RAV4 4WD 3.6L. I had a Tucson V6 sold to me with roof rails. A note on the Roof rails said that no more than 175 pounds is allowed. I ordered a Cross bars / Roof Rack (Tucson accessory) and I installed it myself. The cross bar/roof rack did not come with any weight cautions so I assume that the cross bars will sustain similar weight. I bought a Yakima Space Cadet with a weight of 35 pounds so I had left 140 pounds. I have using this assembly for a long time so far without problem. If the limit of 75 pounds refers only to the cross bars (that I think) and not to the roof rails then you might install other two stronger cross bar close to the Toyota original cross bar (roof rack) and the problem is solved.

Hi, have you been successful in getting the crossbars removed from your RAV4? If not I can be of some help as I just removed mine by myself yesterday. It may seem tricky but some patience and perseverance will get it done.

The rear plastic end caps 'pop' off. Then you can slide the bars off andreplace the the end caps. Be VERY CAREFUL when 'prying' the capsoff to avoid breaking the little 'hold down' tabs on the caps. If you can find an exploded view to show you where the 'tabs' are located that would be helpful. Good luck!

How can you hate roof racks? I love roof racks. I have a 3-bar system on my Yukon XL. Oddly enough the $51k vehicle didn't come with the crossbars (or cargo curtain thing). Not that it mattered, since I would have tossed them in the trash anyway. If the wind whipping through it is loud I can't tell. It certainly doesn't overpower the Bose system at 2/3 volume or the BFG All-terrain T/A's humming--because they're truck tires--because it's a truck.

I use my roof rack for everything from carrying a muddy mountain bike, a canoe-sized cargo box, skis, snowboards, and most frequently, 12-16' boards, posts, pipes, or trim pieces related to the weekend project at hand. I have a fairing which cuts down on the wind resistance. But I'd probably get better mileage if I kept it off.

I too, am looking at a RAV4 (well, I already made a $500 down payment to have it delivered). And planned on buying a Thule system to replace the factor load bars. It uses the same system as the Yukon, so I could swap them back and forth, if only the load bars wouldn't stick out a foot on either side of the RAV.

I think the marketing guys put them on to make it look like an SUV has muscle or something.

Uhhh, my brother's 350V8-powered 1995 Yukon had 245 horsepower. The 2008 V6 RAV4 has 265 horsepower. Guess GM had the same thing in mind; his had a rack too.

My last tandem canoe was 17' long, but I'd tie a 5' kayak down front and rear. I'm not sure if you have a bunch of plastic around your bumpers like my front minivan bumper, but a loop of Perlon cord sticking out of the hood may work for the front tie-down. There's some pics in my CarSpace Album.

thanks for the pointer. I'd be happy to make those kinds of mods to my trusty1990 Toyota wagon but it doesn't feel so great to buy a beautiful new car and start immediately hacking it.

I've since realized a few things:

1) the 2008 car has two plastic pop-off things that have bolt holes under them.Apparently those had eye-bolts which were used as tie downs when the car was on the ship over from Japan. The dealer says that he can get us the bolts. But the plastic things will only survive being removed and replaced about a dozen times I would guess. Anyone tried these as tie downs?

2) I've seen a recent model RAV4 that has the front tie downs so this unfortunatechange must have been made very recently (same body type from what I cansee but it was a limited rather than a basic). I can't buy a car with the moonroof because of the reduction in ceiling height so that limits me to the basic Ibelieve (if I'm wrong there, I'd very much like to know!).

3) the Honda CRV has the tie downs so that's pushing me in that directioneven though I like various things about the RAV4 better.

If any RAV4 lovers want to provide further input, that would be great. Thanks!

I have lost my passenger side rear plastic gloss black cap that you have talked about on your post. Do you know if this is a Toyota brand or is this a 3rd party roof rack? If so who makes this rack. i would love to get the replacement part. Do you recommend going to Toyota?

Hi,got the 2008 rav 4 and have carried my old town penobscot,17,5" without problem.I am trying to find one more emergency towing eyelet so i can have two tie downs on the front bumper..anyone got them from toyota?

hi,not crazy about threading rope to inner frame!please look at highlanders,prius's,sequioas,and new rav4's ..they all have front bumper cavities for eyelets....Scions too?need help asap getting a second one...local toyo dealer no help,.stephen